hexy blocks refills- any ideas

[sandsnakes]

Hi all,

I am rather fond of my hexy stove, infact its a german army one small and neat.
Where can you get the fuel tablets at a resonable price? I have found prices ranging from £10 for a packet, yes £10, I kid you not! Down to about £1.50.

So who do you get you kit from at a resonable price?

Before anyone says it, I use a hexy stove because it leaves NO TRACE, no fire scar or disturbance. I know its not total bushcraft but some places you can't have a fire.

Also would fire starter blocks work in a hexy stove, anyone had a go? They smell the same. Can't find the formula for them on the net whuch would answer my question.

Sandsnakes

 

[leon-b]

i have used barbeque starter blocks before on my hexi stove and they work great, if i were you i would buy a load of these as they work well and they are cheap

leon

 

[anthonyyy]

Try cutting up one of those instant fire logs.

 

[OutBackP]

I'd go with the fire lighters, I havn't used them but I'm pretty sure that they're the same. Give it a go they cost peanuts. You might want to cut them into smaller blocks.
Keep meaning to get myself a hexy stove as they are a useful and small piece of kit ideal for a quick brew.
If you want to get some BCB are a good supplier. http://www.bcbin.com/Default.aspx?cid=13
Postage would make them cost more than it's worth.

 

[Brian]

Sandsnakes,

Hexy is OK mate, I use it now and again, whats the difference between the German one and the British one, are they the same size?

Brian

 

[leon-b]

i often use a hexi because it is a real fire just off the ground, also if you want to up the temperature and increase the burn time just add some twigs to the burning hexi

leon

 

[OutBackP]

The only thing you have to remember is that you have to use a pan. The hexy blocks are full of chemicals, that I'm sure can't be good for you.

 

[sabre iom]

I found there wasnt as much heat out of fire starters, and they make a right mess of your pans!

 

[Phil562]

I found there wasnt as much heat out of fire starters, and they make a right mess of your pans!

I'd concur with that -

a) They do not last as long

b) They do not produce the same sort of heat

c) They cover your pans in black gunk

If you can get Hexi for £1.50 a packet thats not really that bad


My tuppence worth

 

[sam_acw]

I always got on better when I just loaded it with small twigs.
Isn't that the idea once you use up the blocks that come with it?

 

[wingstoo]

Hexi is "very" not good for you, it gives of really bad fumes, so don't breathe them in...gives you a tight chest and inhaling becomes difficult, so only use in a well ventilated place.


Fire lighters are for lighting fires, not for cooking on...As someone has already said, black gung all over your mess tins/pots...

I would tend to disagree about the burn traces...If you are using them correctly it is best to put the cooker on a stone surface or similar to keep it off the ground.

Also make sure that you pick up any part used blocks, as they will be bad for the animals if they munch on them...

Has anyone noticed how much they look like Kendal mint cake...so don't get them mixed up...

And finally, squadies get issued enough blocks to deal with what they have to cook...and eight tabs should be plenty for a 24hr ration pack...But twigs are a good way to supplement extra heat.

2p worth...

LS

Ps have loads of the stuff, in poly bags...

 

[Glen]

Hi all,

Also would fire starter blocks work in a hexy stove, anyone had a go? They smell the same. Can't find the formula for them on the net whuch would answer my question.

Sandsnakes

I've found the humble tea light to be better than firestaters, take them out the case scrape the outside down a little, wrap in corrugated cardboard slightly higher than the casing, return to case adding all the scrapings back in the middle. 100 for around £1 plus you can always fill the empty case with meths.

Still a bit messsy though in regards to sooty and waxy pans but seeing as I carry a couple in emergency kit decided it was worth adding a few srtips of corrigated card for that reason.

 

[Michael Mac]

Thought i'd mention that you can get packs of Hexy blocks on ebay quite cheap. I recently bought a new Hexy Stove off there

 

[Spikey DaPikey]

Yup, stick with hexy, and as someone else said, watch for the bits falling out of the bottom, they can set fire to the grass

 

[bloodline]

Millets had packs of 24 round ones last time I looked for 2.99 I was lucky at the military show at Detling last year there were loads going cheap so I stocked up on a few stoves and extra fuel then.

 

[sandsnakes]

Brian,

The German Triangia(?) hexy stove is about a quarter of the size of the uk issue hexy stove. You can get them for about £1.50 on ebay used. The supplier will also sell you tablets.

Things I know about hexy

Its nasty to eat
It gives of nasty fumes so dont use in a tent or breath it in.
If you put a few stones or pebbles under the stove no fire scar.
Hexy burns hotter the USA fuel gels.
Hexy leaves nasty crud on the bottom of your pans. But then again so can over cooked food and wood fires.
You need a packet of blocks a day for cooking and brews on average.
Watch for small bits falling from the bottom and burning the ground. (stones underneath stop this happening.
Its quick in the cold!

Possibles

BBQ fire starters will work instead of tab but are messy and dont burn as hot(?)
You can add a few twigs to up the heat. (metal distortion possible?)
Spray your stove with BBQ paint stops it rusting.

So who is the cheapest supplier around. Some say they are cheap then they up the postage and packing.

Hexy in the UK is probably a bushcraft basic tool because of fire restrictions on the areas we are allowed to use.

So suppliers chaps, whats the best bulk buy? and who is the best supplier.

Cheers

Sandsnakes

 

[Phil562]

Just over £1.10 a packet here if you buy a box of 72

 

[oops56]

Check this out it mite work i think once the block is dry you mite need a drop or two of alcohol to get it started i going to try it but make mold 1. in sq. use some kind box some metal plate with holes to let water out use c clamp
http://www.newdawnengineering.com/website/stove/firecube/

 

[Doc]

The German Esbit cooker is very similar to the British army one but, as mentioned above is smaller. I think it is better made too. You can also get a star shaped semi-disposable very light Esbit cooker- really just a pot stand with supports that can be folded up and down a few times. A windbreak might be needed.

You used to be able to get 'Meta' solid fuel - ?metaldehyde. Smelt worse than hexy. Highlander or Tracpac used to sell their own hexy refills. In the past I have seen Esbit stoves with fuel sold dirt cheap in boxes of a hundred, or 1000. Were it not for the postage could be a group buy project.

The cheapest way to heat grub, after a fire, is probably meths. I have hexy stoves but these days invariably use the trusty Swedish military Trangia.

 

[sandsnakes]

Doc are they still up for sale. If its reasonable I dont mind bying a box and passing the on at cost and p&P

Found these people. £1.00 for a packet of refills. I have no idea who they are but I am ringing them on Friday

http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk/index.php?page=order



Sandsnakes